How to Use an Epsom Salt Mix as a Fertilizer for Tomatoes

Tomato plants are heavy feeders.

If you thought the secret to growing big juicy tomatoes was as simple as popping the plants into a bucket or container of rich, organic soil, think again. These vigorous growers are heavy feeders requiring both frequent watering and supplemental fertilizer. Adding Epsom salt to your tomato care regimen may give them the boost they need to produce robust stems and abundant fruit.

Things You'll Need

• Epsom salt
• Measuring spoon
• Watering can

Instructions

1. Apply Epsom salt to the soil around the base of the tomatoes every two weeks to provide needed magnesium and sulfur to the soil. The Epsom Salt Council explains that plants need both magnesium and sulfur, the active ingredients in Epsom salt, to produce chlorophyll and for proper absorption of both phosphorus and nitrogen.

2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for each foot in plant height. A 3-foot tomato plant requires 3 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Water the plants thoroughly to dissolve the Epsom salt. This distributes it to the roots of the tomato plant in a usable form.

3. Mix Epsom salt with water before applying, if preferred. The University of Alaska Fairbanks recommends mixing 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water and watering plants as usual. This method is particularly useful when watering young seedlings.

Tips & Warnings

• Container-grown tomato plants are more likely to suffer from nutrient deficiencies, such as magnesium or sulfur, since nutrients leach from the soil when the pots are watered.

References

• The Epsom Salt Council: Why It Works
• University of Alaska Fairbanks Extension: Epsom Salt Tips
• Texas AgriLife Extension Services:Vegetable Gardening In Containers

Resources

• Cornell University: Ten Mistakes to Avoid When GrowingTomatoes